Materials Considerations for Electrocaloric-Based Regenerative Cooling

Abstract:

It has been more than two decades since electrocaloric-based temperature lifts of the order of 20°C were first reported in the ceramic materials and more than a decade since equivalent lifts were observed in polymeric thin films. Yet, since that time, the demonstration of even a single high performance electrocaloric-based cooling module has not been realized.  Indeed, only modest performance (<5°C total lift) has been achieved when such modules have been challenged against a temperature incline. Coefficients of performance (COP) have been either unreported or inconsequential. Conversely, theoretical models predict the potential for regenerative cooling with lifts in excess of 10°C at COPs of ~6. In this talk we examine the cause of the shortfall in module performance from a material perspective. We discuss: (1) The impact of performance parasitics. (2) Active area loss due to dielectric breakdown and local arcing. (3) Degraded performance due to stress concentration, clamping from the electrode metallization and cyclic fatigue. Solutions to film and electrode failures can potentially be found by using material engineering to improve electrical, mechanical, and thermal-caloric properties.

Biography:

Dr. Joseph Mantese is a Research Fellow at United Technologies Corporate Research Center, specializing in electronic/optical materials, components, sensors, and actuators for aerospace and commercial system platforms; with particular emphasis on embedded sensing in extreme environments using RF wireless interconnectivity for both signal and power. His work on embedded sensing is facilitated by additive manufacturing, MEMS, and semiconductor fabrication processes.  Dr. Mantese’ current responsibilities also include: future sensor and functional material conception and development, multi-business unit strategic planning, portfolio development, and road mapping; new program and project initiatives; and business and government program development.

Prior to joining UTRC, Dr. Mantese was Department Head and Senior Fellow of Delphi Research Laboratories (Materials, Components, and Packaging) the central research laboratory responsible for developing advanced technologies for automotive systems, including those for: safety, entertainment, HVAC, connection systems, and emissions control. Before joining Delphi in 1999, Dr. Mantese was a member of General Motors Research and Development Laboratories where he was Section Leader of sensor development. Dr. Mantese is the recipient of an R&D 100 Award (1997) for the development of industrial scale plasma ion implantation, recognized by Wayne State University through its Socius Collegii Award (2004) for collaborative research with the school of engineering, is twice winner of General Motors’ Campbell Award (1990 and 1995) for scientific breakthroughs in materials science, an inductee and subsequent honoree of Delphi Corporation’s Hall of Fame (2000, 2004) for scientific research and creation of corporate intellectual property, and twice winner of UTRC’s (2010, 2018) Outstanding Achievement Award for his fundamental work related to multi-species chemical sensing and for electrocaloric based solid state cooling. His work has been cited over 5000 times.

In 2013 Dr. Mantese was inducted as Fellow into the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. In 2015 he was named Fellow of the American Physical Society, and in 2017 he was named Fellow of the Materials Research Society. Dr. Mantese is the holder of 55 patents pertaining to electronic materials, sensors, MEMS, and components.  He has presented numerous invited and contributed talks, is the author of over 100 peer reviewed papers, including a book on the fundamentals of graded ferroic materials, and three book chapters related to electronic materials, sensors, and devices.

Reception at 2:30 p.m. outside Room L-2.